I Have A Question About Shaken Baby Syndrome

Posted on Thu, 17 Oct 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I have a question about shaken baby syndrome

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (24 minutes later)

If after I suspect the Nany was shaking the baby too much I realized that there were no sign at all of any problem and the baby was reacting normally. no vomiting or red eyes or crying. does that mean that no harm was done? I just saw the Nany holding the baby horizontally while holding the head as well and doing the motion of up and down as we do to calm the baby. But she was shaking very hard for a few seconds.

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No symptoms of shaking baby syndrome.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor service.
I read your query and here is my advice.

I believe there is no harm done to your baby and he is experiencing no symptoms at all no vomiting, irritability, crying etc.
I don't believe he is having shaking baby syndrome because it happens only when the child is abused and shaken very hard.
In this case an artery of the brain can rupture causing swelling and edema and can cause irritability or even coma to the child.
It cant happen while shaking it normally, or playing or even falling.
I think you should not get concerned about it.
Hope I have answered the question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (45 minutes later)

Thank you very much for your answer, it is very helpful. I just thought of this question because my daughter is 6 now and she recognizes letters but not words and she get irritated quickly and starts screaming so I was wondering if it was linked and that maybe just very little of the brain was damaged that could cause this. I ready online that the baby shaken syndrome can cause this?

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Visit a neurologist.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
I don't think this can be related to shaking baby syndrome. I think it would be a good idea to visit a neurologist because she may be having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Visiting a neurologist is necessary to check the development of the child.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (40 hours later)

Thank you very much for your kind explanation. I was just wondering why do you think that it is not related to a shaking baby syndrome. Is it because a shaking baby syndrome has a lot worse effects? Or maybe after a shaking baby syndrome I would have seen bad reactions like vomiting or paralysis or blood eyes as I saw online?

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You may have spotted the symptoms before.

Detailed Answer:
Shaking baby syndrome has more severe and immediate effects. She is having the irritation now that she is 6 and if it was related to baby shaking syndrome you would have seen irritation, vomiting, sleepiness seen after the incident.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana